Grey dealer or AD for rolex purchase

[ExplorerII]

Not too sure if this discussion is allowed (please lock this thread if not allowed).  I will be pulling the trigger on a rolex sub soon and have been doing research. I find that prices from grey dealers are significantly lower then from AD. How is it possible for these grey dealers to get significantly lower prices? Won't ADs eventually go out of business ?
Is it worth the risk to purchase from grey dealers ? A lot of them seem to have good references on the net. Thanks for any advice given.

[contender]

Well that is not true ..... depends on which model you are talking about.

I bought SubC from Rolex boutique at Bangsar Shopping Complex couple of weeks back ..... which is owned by Swiss Watch Gallery and got a free gift leather jewellery box and also 12-18 mths 0% instalment. If you take the SubC Date you will get Tumi travelling bag as well but SubC Date they are selling at premium. Discounts are pretty standard for authorised dealer for Rolex unless you know the owner or senior people while grey dealer price quoted are cash price ..... only makes sense for DJ models and 2 tone GMT/SubC as the discount is much higher.

The plus point when buying from AD is just an added peace of mind .....

     

[dpkong]

Do your homework on the grey dealers and you should be fine. Many are reputable and have a long history as good as ADs.

[bigkahuna]

I was in the same dilemma just recently and eventually decided to purchase my SubC at a boutique that gave me a pretty decent discount even though grey dealers have better rates. As mentioned by contender, purchasing from AD/boutique gives you a peace of mind which I don't mind paying a few hundred Ringgit more for 

[Gigi]

AD = "this one ah only one in stock oh, if you wan u gotta pay at <Premium price>"

Grey market = "We have bnib at this price, if you wan totally new you gotta pay premium (usually higher than ad lol)"

Yet to see ad who offer in retail price, that including some other brand like PAM

This is just my perception No offence to anyone

[ExplorerII]

I was in the same dilemma just recently and eventually decided to purchase my SubC at a boutique that gave me a pretty decent discount even though grey dealers have better rates. As mentioned by contender, purchasing from AD/boutique gives you a peace of mind which I don't mind paying a few hundred Ringgit more for 

This is what confuses me.  Prices from three ADs I went to were a lot more that a few hundred ringgit higher (more like in the thousands) than what i see from grey dealers.  Did your AD give you a discount that was significantly higher due to you being a regular customer? 

[bigkahuna]

I was in the same dilemma just recently and eventually decided to purchase my SubC at a boutique that gave me a pretty decent discount even though grey dealers have better rates. As mentioned by contender, purchasing from AD/boutique gives you a peace of mind which I don't mind paying a few hundred Ringgit more for 

This is what confuses me.  Prices from three ADs I went to were a lot more that a few hundred ringgit higher (more like in the thousands) than what i see from grey dealers.  Did your AD give you a discount that was significantly higher due to you being a regular customer?

That usually is the case. Most ADs/Boutiques and even grey dealers will not easily give out "best price" especially not for Rollies.  For my case, I just happen to know someone who knows someone who can give me a good enough price to be only a few hundred RM different from what grey dealer's "best price" to me was. You just have to do a bit of homework before your purchase and ask around.

[kenji1903]

AD = "this one ah only one in stock oh, if you wan u gotta pay at <Premium price>"

Grey market = "We have bnib at this price, if you wan totally new you gotta pay premium (usually higher than ad lol)"

Yet to see ad who offer in retail price, that including some other brand like PAM

This is just my perception No offence to anyone

What's the difference between BNIB and totally new?

[Timeless]

For brand new and hot model, usually grey dealer and AD of the prices may slightly different only. Suggest u go to AD provided the model that u're looking for is available. At least u deal with peace mind

[Calibr]

Grey dealers get their stocks from ADs all over the world, as long as they can make some money, so they can be quite competitive.. The International warranty given by Rolex is valid anywhere. Plus, if the manuals are not in the language of your choice, the buyer can get them exchanged without costs, besides sizing the bracelet, at the RSC. Not easy to be a Rolex AD, so buying from a reputable grey dealer, without the "frills" can be a good option.

[chenht]

If the difference is not significant, buy from AD.

[dpkong]

If the difference is not significant, buy from AD.

In almost all the watches I have an interest in, the price difference is almost always significant.

[Skydrag]

Some model really offer good price from grey import, if not far different , get from AD for a peace of mind